Politics
Justice Department warns Denver its immigration policy might violate federal grant rules
DENVER – The Justice Department warned Denver Police Chief Robert White in a letter Wednesday that Denver might be violating federal rules with some of its so-called “sanctuary city” policies and threatened that the police department could stand to lose federal grant money.
At issue are Byrne justice assistance grants (JAG) issued in accordance with a section of federal law called Section 1373, which deals with communication and information exchanges between local, state and federal law enforcement and other officials. Continue reading
Colorado Democrat Jason Crow picks up endorsement from Giffords, DCCC support in congressional race
DENVER – Democrat Jason Crow has earned the support of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in his fight to win the primary and unseat Rep. Mike Coffman from his congressional district in Colorado.
The DCCC announced Wednesday Crow had been selected for its “Red to Blue” program, which targets seats the committee thinks it can flip from Republican to Democrat in general elections. Continue reading
Erie town trustees tell angry residents they were unaware of venting near school, launch probe
ERIE, Colo. – At a meeting filled with angry parents, Erie town trustees said Tuesday night they were also unaware that an oil and gas site had been venting fumes into a nearby elementary school until they saw it on the news.
“I was just as alarmed as all the citizens of Erie to hear about this over the weekend—two months after the fact,” said Erie Mayor Tina Harris at Tuesday’s meeting, which comes on the heels of two reports by Denver7 that exposed the venting near Aspen Ridge Preparatory School. Continue reading
GOP lawmaker calls for probe over Lebsock’s chairmanship, slams top Colorado Democrat
DENVER – Amid calls for her resignation and harsh words from a Republican lawmaker, Colorado House Speaker Crisanta Duran said Tuesday she wouldn’t have appointed Rep. Steve Lebsock to the chairmanship of a House panel had she known there were more sexual harassment allegations against him, but stood by the way she handled the situation.
Duran, a Denver Democrat, appointed Lebsock, D-Thornton, to be the chair of the House Local Government Committee in 2016 after Rep. Faith Winter, D-Westminster, and other House Democrats told her about Lebsock’s alleged advancements. Continue reading
NRSC chair Cory Gardner says Senate should expel Roy Moore if he wins election, doesn’t drop out
DENVER – U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said Monday he believes the women who have alleged that Alabama candidate for senator Roy Moore made sexual advances on them decades ago, and said the Senate should vote to expel him from the seat should he win next month’s special election.
“I believe the individuals speaking out against Roy Moore spoke with courage and truth, proving he is unfit to serve in the United States Senate and he should not run for office,” Gardner, a Republican from Colorado, said in a prepared statement released by the NRSC. Continue reading
Rep. Winter to file formal complaint against Rep. Lebsock as leaders plan harassment policy changes
DENVER – Colorado state Rep. Faith Winter says she plans to file a formal complaint against Rep. Steve Lebsock Monday afternoon, as leadership from both parties say they have new plans to prevent sexual harassment at the state Capitol.
Winter, D-Westminster, told Denver7 Monday the formal filing comes on the heels of Lebsock’s weekend statement asking that she and two other women who have accused him of sexual advancements and harassment file the formal complaints. Continue reading
Democratic colleagues call for Rep. Steve Lebsock’s resignation after sexual harassment allegations
DENVER – A female Colorado state lawmaker is going public with allegations that fellow lawmaker Rep. Steve Lebsock made sexual advances toward her last year, and she says there are several others who have made similar claims.
Rep. Faith Winter, D-Westminster, told Denver7 Investigates Friday the incident in question happened toward the end of last year’s legislative session, in May 2016. Lebsock, D-Thornton, is now running for state treasurer in 2018. Continue reading
Exclusive: Inside Colorado’s bid for Amazon HQ2
DENVER – Colorado’s bid for Amazon’s second headquarters touted the pipeline of talented students at the state’s universities and the quality of life here in its attempt to lure the company, but documents show there are concerns over low unemployment rates, infrastructure and high costs of living—which could rise even further should the company decide to come to the Centennial State.
A response to a joint open records request made by Denver7 and The Denver Post reveals some of the details of Colorado’s bid, which could bring up to 50,000 new jobs and billions of dollars to the state should Amazon decide to build its so-called HQ2 here. Continue reading
NRSC chair Cory Gardner says GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore should drop out if sex allegations true
DENVER – Sen. Cory Gardner, the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said Wednesday that Roy Moore, the Republican candidate for Alabama’s U.S. Senate seat, should drop out of the special election if the allegations he had a sexual relationship with a teen girl are true.
The Washington Post broke the story Wednesday that in 1979, Moore—then a 32-year-old district attorney—had a sexual encounter with a girl who was 14 years old at the time. Continue reading
DA has active investigation into sexual harassment allegations at Lake County Sheriff’s Office
LAKE COUNTY, Colo. – The Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office confirmed Wednesday it has an ongoing investigation into allegations of sexual harassment levied against the Lake County undersheriff by at least three female employees of the sheriff’s office.
The confirmation came shortly after the Lake County Board of County Commissioners held a meeting with Sheriff Rodney Fenske and at least one attorney. The meeting was held in executive session, with windows blocked out with paper and reporters not allowed inside. Continue reading